Page 78 of Falling for Autumn Again

“It doesn’t matter,” I whisper, peering down where I stand between his legs.

“I think it does,” he says. His fingers at my hips find space beneath my shirt. The tips of his warm fingers brush over the edge of my hip, where my belt meets skin.

I sniff, my heart pounding, my emotions on overload. “It’s none of my business.”

“I want it to be,” he says, those fingers tracing my hip bone. “She broke up with me.”

So, not only was he engaged to someone else, but his feelings for Bre didn’t change. He didn’t end it.She did. If not for her decision, they’d be married right now.

I’m not sure what he’s going for here, what he needs me to understand exactly. Is it that he got his heart broken twice? That he loved and lost again? That he’d choose to be married to her if he could?

“I’m sorry for your loss,” I say, unable to make myself sound sorry at all.

“I’mnot.” His hands trail up to my face, tipping my chin up so that I’m no longer staring at the space between us. “She said she broke up with me because I was never fully hers.”

I swallow, and my throat burns with the action, with his words, with their unsaid meaning.

“She said she couldn’t marry someone who was still in love with the woman he lost.”

I shake my head. But no words come.

“She was right. I didn’t even argue with her. A one-year engagement, a two-year relationship, and when she said goodbye, I accepted it without regret. She was right. I never got over you, Autumn.” He dips his head, peering at me as the tears I’ve been holding back spill onto my cheeks. “And maybe I’m wrong. But I don’t think you got over me either.”

His hand cups my cheek. It’s warm and strong and so wonderfully familiar.I’ve missed him.I haven’t wanted to admit it. But my chest is freed from its straining prison with merely the thought.

I cup my hand around his neck, step into him even more, and find his lips. Ezra’s arms slip around my back, hugging me close. His kisses trail from my lips to my jaw, and I shed a tear for every minute we’ve lost. His lips are warm and sweet, reminding me of who he was and who he’s become. And loving them both just the same. They’re bothhim.

For a single moment, I set aside years of pain and a million reservations. No, they haven't gone away, but I shove those doubts aside. Because right now, at this moment, wrapped in his arms, my hands in his hair, his heart pounding in tune with mine, I believe in us.

Senior Year

FALL

Autumn

“Senior year, Green. You ready?”

I tighten my leg around Ezra’s and ignore the piece of hay stabbing me in the back. “Um—you know I’m ready. Are you ready for New York?”

“Um,” he says, mimicking my sarcastic tone. “You know I am.” Ezra tickles my side, pinching my hips and making me shriek.

“Ezra!” I gulp, smacking his chest and making him stop. “I’m serious.”

“Yes,” he says, on his side, peering over at me. “I’m ready.”

“You’ll follow me anywhere?” I bat my lashes and tease in a very obnoxious Southern accent—nowhere near as adorable as Dessie’s.

“I will,” he says, leaning in and pressing a sweet, simple kiss to my lips. He’s so serious despite my teasing. “But tonight, I better get you home.”

I inch my body a little closer to his and tighten my hold on his leg even more, ensuring I am close enough to smell the mint on Ezra’s breath. “Five more minutes. Please.”

His brows raise, but I know he’ll give in to me. “Five.”

I reach up and wrap my hand around his neck, pulling him in for another kiss. I plan to kiss Ezra every day for the rest of my life. He’s mine and I’m his. If there’s one thing in this world I can believe in, it’s us. “I love you, Ezra Bennett.”

“I love you back, Green.”

Chapter Thirty-Four

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